The Guardian has reported on the closure of the Afghan Embassy in Canberra, Australia’s capital, stating that the diplomatic mission quietly ceased operations, the tricolor Afghan flag was lowered, and one of the last remaining symbols of the former Afghan Republic has disappeared.

According to the report, the decision to close the embassy was made by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and sources indicate that the move came following a request from the Taliban. The decision has caused concern among members of the Afghan community living in Australia.

The Guardian notes that the closure of the embassy is more than an administrative action; for many Afghan migrants, it represents the loss of one of their last official links to the former Afghan Republic.

The report also refers to political developments following the Doha Agreement between the United States and the Taliban, stating that after the collapse of the Republic, many achievements of the previous two decades—particularly in the areas of civil rights and freedoms, especially for women and girls—were lost.

The report emphasizes that Afghanistan’s allies, including Australia, had invested for years in building democratic institutions and developing the country’s education system, but much of that progress disappeared after the Taliban returned to power.

The embassy’s closure comes at a time when many Afghans living in Australia still relied on it for consular services and assistance with identity documents, and they are now worried about the future availability of these services.